Straining to suck in the stuffy air is fast becoming a hobby around these climes, but tonight it's almost a feat in itself to be watching the people on the stage doing the same thing. Two days ago Llama Farmers guitarist Will Simpson (above) was hooked up to a drip in hospital laid out with a nasty throat infection, but he's braved the bitter winds outside and the searing heat indoors to grace the stage this evening.

It's not as easy for the Llama Farmers as it once was; the back-slapping critics who amongst others hailed them as best live UK act, best new UK act and ladeled out numerous other awards with carefree abandon have found different fish to fry, and the Llamas themselves have reached the crossroads of diversification and subtlety that can only serve to make them a better and more compelling band in the long run.

The Llamas still retain that curious ambiguity that made such an impact two years ago; the fact that they remain an original band in the UK, much for their largely rawcous take-on of the heavy post-grunge American sounds that made bands such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam legends.

Tonight's set is largely based around tracks from imminent new LP El Toppo, but well-loved early singles such as the majestic Snow White also managed to sneak in to whoops of joy from the crowd and yet another demonstration of Will's pedal crunching expertise. Technically the band are unhindered from any mishaps or miscues, and the stubble-raddled slacker rock of Get the Keys and Go serves as an anthem for the evening, fuelled with paranoia, angst and an ear-breaking kick-in.

The crowd lap it up. There's no space for crowd-surfing, but bassist Jennie (right, with Singer Bernie Simpson) is inundated with proposals of marriage and declarations of true love. They leave the stage smiling, happy that another successful gig has been completed sans injury and glad to be back onstage again, playing to people who welcomed them back with open eardrums.

Just turn the air conditioning on goddamnit.

Karl Cremin

Links:
Official Llama Farmers website

Live Reviews
The Music Bar